East New Britain Catholic priest Philip Kelera, charged with sexual violations of five young schoolboys in Kokopo, East New Britain, is to appear again in court This month.
Kelera, 47, from Malakur ward in Pomio district, was arrested and charged last month and appeared in the Kokopo District Court two weeks ago.
However, his committal files were not ready and the case had been adjourned until Dec 18, the court confirmed.
Kelera had been charged with five counts – one count of sexual penetration, two counts on sexual touching and two counts of indecent acts.
The priest allegedly violated five boys aged between 11 and 15 on different occasions. But after his most recent offence in July this year, the victim reported it to his parents.
Provincial police commander Sylvester Kalaut reported that all the offences happened when Kelera was a priest at the Guma Catholic parish, White Bay, East Pomio.
All five boys were students of Guma primary school at the time of the offence.
Police said the priest had invited each student to his house. He then forced them into performing sexual acts with him while threatening them at the same time not to report to authorities.
The Catholic church earlier said it was concentrating on helping the boys and their families.
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